President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked leaders to shun divisive politics and work together regardless of their political affiliations for the benefit of all Kenyans.

Speaking at Changamwe on Saturday when he launched construction of Port Reitz and Moi International Airport roads, the President lamented that petty politics had taken centre stage in the country, with leaders neglecting the development agenda.

“I must say that we should now have done a lot as Kenyans but we have decided – and we have to say the truth – that development is not to keep opposing fellow leaders. We have forgotten that politics does not build but action is what will help us uplift the living standards of the common man,” he said.

“This is the reason I insist that as leaders we should respect each other and remember that we have been elected not to politic on things that serve our own interest but we are called upon to work together and serve Kenyans,” President Kenyatta added.

He said when Jubilee came to power, they promised to solve the thorny issue of land problem in the coastal region, which he said his government was committed to.

“We will be at Likoni (Waitiki farm) to ensure that we solve the land problem there and I reiterate that is not the only area we are going to address issues to do with land. We are going to work together and ensure that this problem is solved once and for all,” he said.

The President assured those who have built structures on road reserves that they will be compensated as he asked the contractor to offer job opportunities to the youth in the area.